May I nominate the truck who pulled out to overtake another lorry as we approached the Ringwood flyover yesterday morning?

I was approaching them at ~70 and as it was 0600 there was a mahoosive gap behind me in which he could have started his "manouevre". But no, he had to pull out - obviously with only the briefest of indicates once he'd already started moving - when I was close enough to have to brake sharply.

He then spent the whole of Poulner Hill trying to even get level with the other lorry before realising it was futile near the top of the hill, by which time both lorries had dropped to about 45, and pulled back in again.

Feel for HGV's - i had a slight insight into their world when driving a massively underpowered bucket truck based on the old Renault Master - it would take you 10 miles to build up to motorway speed and by the time you are there you DO NOT wanna give it up for anyone. Over taking has to be done (within reason) as soon as humanly possible.. if you have to lift off, it's going to take you another 5 miles to build up the speed.

then you get the people that fly past you, then you end up catching them up, pull out to overtake and all of a sudden they decide that they don't want you in front of them so they speed up.. leaving you hanging with the next thing in lane one filling your previous position.

since this topic continues to escalate my view as a proffesional driver is 1)the days of proffesional drivers are diminishing because drivers of today only take these jobs because they have lost thier original jobs so do this as a 2nd or 3rd option 2)training is inadequate 3)companies treat drivers as third class citizens you pay peanuts you get monkeys..hence the lack of proffesionalism in this sector4) no proffesionalism equals drivers of today dont give f**k for any other road users this is just my opinion being one of a dying breed of professionals

since this topic continues to escalate my view as a proffesional driver is 1)the days of proffesional drivers are diminishing because drivers of today only take these jobs because they have lost thier original jobs so do this as a 2nd or 3rd option 2)training is inadequate 3)companies treat drivers as third class citizens you pay peanuts you get monkeys..hence the lack of proffesionalism in this sector4) no proffesionalism equals drivers of today dont give f**k for any other road users this is just my opinion being one of a dying breed of professionals

This is something that am not sure was ever there, knights of the road etc. I wonder if the increasing traffic loads push us all together and peoples perceptions were never there in reality as we get a closer view? Maybe a few years ago there were less wagons and this issue was not as visible.

Wonder what the pay rates are, the recent tanker dispute showed us that some driver on on a good whack. (I did say some, not all or the majority before I beaten to death with a Yorkie). Certainly a life on the road may not be for all people but I know a few that like it.

With regards training, never done any myself but observations of a lot of drivers (car and lorry) in a lot of circumstances indicates what ever test they took, they have forgotten or neglect to take note of. Don't think that is a singular fault.

Either way, back on topic. I find it easier to sit back and chill out when this happens to me. There are so many other muppets on the road, this is a small thing in comparison when I think of the end result, which is stuff on the shelves when I want it.

My view on a professional driver - someone that has amassed a certain amount of experience and still admits to learning. Also someone that can deal with an oncoming situation with a level head, putting them in total control of their situation.

One thing that amazes me, is the amount of drivers, of all types of vehicles, who keep their foot firmly planted on the accelerator pedal when a situation ahead of them is starting to develop.

When on the 2-lane, 20 mile long M26, do not pull out to overtake another lorry, and spend 8 miles doing so, you daft tt. If you are traveling at 55.5 mph, and the vehicle you want to overtaken is travelling at 55.25mph, just BACK OFF A BIT.

Also, if you are the lorry being overtaken, BACK OFF A BIT, and you will help to avoid an 8 mile tailback on the M26, and a great deal of horn blowing and general abuse from other road users, you cretinous tt.

Many thanks.

Am I missing something here? Tell me I'm thick please but if they both 'BACK OFF A BIT' won't that take longer and be counter productive in the overtake manoeuvre?

When on the 2-lane, 20 mile long M26, do not pull out to overtake another lorry, and spend 8 miles doing so, you daft tt. If you are traveling at 55.5 mph, and the vehicle you want to overtaken is travelling at 55.25mph, just BACK OFF A BIT.

Also, if you are the lorry being overtaken, BACK OFF A BIT, and you will help to avoid an 8 mile tailback on the M26, and a great deal of horn blowing and general abuse from other road users, you cretinous tt.

Many thanks.

Am I missing something here? Tell me I'm thick please but if they both 'BACK OFF A BIT' won't that take longer and be counter productive in the overtake manoeuvre?

You are missing it - He is saying that the driver intending to pass could ease off a bit and not overtake or the one being overtaken could back off a bit